Carton folding or sealing apparatus



Dec. 19, 1967 R. w. TUCKER ETAL 3,358,567

CARTON FOLDING OR SEALING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Dec. 19, 1967 R. w. TUCKER ETAL CARTON FOLDING OR SEALING APPARATUS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1965 MW E J u T m y -\h\ -Wm m a a I miuur mz T I 3.114}:|I|,||||-||-||||||1||l||1||||||1|l|1|||||||u Am? i J 1iM P l l I i I I l I I I l ll L L; X H ix x Q a m2 Hm? rm PILIW,

1957 R. w. TUCKER ETAL 3,

CARTON FOLDING OR SEALING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet5 I 1967 I R. w. TUCKER ETAL 3,358,567

CARTON FOLDING OR SEALING APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet4 United States Patent ()fi ice 3,358,557 Patented Dec. 19, 19673,358,567 CARTON FOLDING R SEALING APPARATUS Richard W. Tucker,Bettendorf, and Lewis M. Shuh,

Davenport, Iowa, assignors to Compacker, Inc., a corporation of IowaFiled Apr. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 448,348 20 Claims. (Cl. 9349) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE Side rails and an end guide plate defining a cavity forreceiving a tubed carton. A pair of blades for folding the end flaps anda pair of foldable doors for folding the side flaps and urging the siderails inwardly to square the carton. A conveyor and an overlying plateto compressibly hold the top flaps.

This invention relates in general to apparatus for use in folding orsealing the flaps of a carton. More particularly, this invention relatesto a machine for folding the flaps of a carton received in tubular form,said flaps generally having adhesive applied thereto.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and useful machine ofsimplified construction for folding the bottom flaps of a cartonarranged in expanded tubular form.

Another object is to provide a unique machine for folding the bottomflaps of a tubed carton, some of which flaps have an adhesive appliedthereto, and which machine includes means for holding the carton insemiassembled position with its bottom flaps folded until the 'bottomflaps are adhered or sealed.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a machine inaccordance with the foregoing object and which can be used as a loadingstation for products to be placed in the carton.

Still another object is to provide a new and useful machine inaccordance with the foregoing objects and including a means forcompressibly holding the folded top flaps of the carton until said topflaps are adhered or sealed.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a uniquemachine for folding the bottom flaps of :a tubular carton and whichmachine may be quickly and readily adjusted to receive any of varioussize cartons and which adjustment can be easily performed by anunskilled operator.

A further object is to provide a machine in accordance with theforegoing objects which has few moving parts and which can be operatedby compressed air.

A still further object is to provide a machine of improved andsimplified construction for folding the bottom flaps of a tubular cartonand which machine is compact and substantially portable, of relativelyuncomplicated and economical construction, and yet durable andtrouble-free.

Additional objects and advantages of this invention will become apparentas the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top view on a larger scale than FIG- URE l of amachine constructed in accordance with the present invention and with aportion broken away to better reveal the parts;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a traverse sectional view taken along broken line 5-5 of FIG.3 and with a portion of the housing broken away to better reveal therelationship of the parts; and

FIGS. 6a-6g are diagrammatic perspective views showing the steps infolding and sealing a carton as performed by the machine and itsoperator.

Refer-ring now more particularly to the drawings wherein the samenumerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, apreferred embodiment of the invention will be described. The cartonfolding or sea-ling apparatus, generally designated by the numeral 10,includes a frame which may be formed of any suitable material, such assteel. It is contemplated that the frame may be shaped in any mannerconvenient to efiectuate the purpose of the apparatus, however, it isherein illustrated as having spaced side rails 12 and 14 joined, as bywelding, to transverse members 16 and 18. The aforementioned members ofthe frame may be of any convenient structural shape and are hereinillustrated as channel shaped members. Depending portions 12 and 14' ofside rails 12 and 14, respectively, are conveniently provided asclosures for the ends of transverse member 16 and a cover 20 is providedto close the open side thereof, as best shown in FIG. 1. Cover 20 isattached to transverse member 16 by means of a plurality of fasteners 22and, in this manner, an enclosedhousing is formed which may be easilyaccessible formaintenance of parts therein which will hereinafter bedescribed. Transverse member 18, which is shown in the form of adownwardly facing channel, is conveniently provided with ends 18' and18" to provide an enclosure for additional parts which will hereinafterbe described. Since the enclosure formed is open at the bottom, it canbe seen that parts therein are easily accessible for maintenance. Acentral frame member 24 is disposed intermediate side rails 12 and 14and attached at either end to transverse members 16 and 18,respectively, by any convenient manner. The aforementioned frame membersare conveniently arranged with flat sides facing outwardly to provide agenerally smooth body for the apparatus. These frame members alsoadvantageously surround and define an upwardly opening cavity 25 forreceiving a box or carton 30 in expanded tubular form. The frame may besupported in any convenient manner and is herein illustrated as beingsupported by a plurality of legs 26-29, as best shown in FIG. 1.

As an aid to the understanding of the construction and operation of theapparatus, the manner in which the bottomflaps of a carton 30 are foldedor sealed, the carton filled with a product, and the top flaps folded orsealed will now be discussed. While the operation may sometimeshereinafter be described as sealing the flaps, it should be understoodthat this also includes mere-1y folding the flaps. Referring now to FIG.6, the ordinary box or carton 30 has sides 31 and 32 and ends 33 and 34.Attached to the sides 31 and 32 and depending therefrom a-re bottomflaps 31 and32', respectively, and rising from the sides are top flaps31" and 32", respectively. In like manner, ends 33 and 34 have bottomend flaps 33' and 34' and top end flaps 33" and 34", respectively. Thejunctures between the flaps and the respective sides or ends are welldefined and are in the form of a crease or fold line shown at 35. Whilethe cartons illustrated in set before the flaps are position. A carton30 in tubular form (FIG. 6a) is inserted downwardly into cavit'y 25 ofthe machine 10. The machine operates to first guide the bottom end flaps33' and 34' inwardly to start the folding operation (FIG. 6b). Bottomend flaps 33' and 34 are then folded toward a folded position as shownin FIG. 60 and the bottom side flaps 31 and 32 are folded upwardlyagainst the end flaps to close the bottom of the box (FIG. 6d). In itspreferred form, the apparatus simultaneously operates to square the boxas the bottom flaps are folded and hold the box in the positionillustrated in FIG. 6d for easy loading of a product, herein shown ascans 37 (FlG. 6e). It is contemplated that the machine provide adequatesupport for any materials to be loaded into the box or carton and, if anadsorptiontype adhesive is utilized, the weight of the product in thebox will cause the bottom flaps to be sealed. The operator may then foldthe top flaps as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6g and remove the box to acompression means for holding the flaps in said position until they aresealed.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the mechanism which operates to achieve theaforementioned steps will be described. Disposed within the cavity 25and generally along the centerline thereof are a pair of folding armsherein shown as substantially flat blades 40 and 42 generally atopposite ends of the cavity. Blade 40' is pivotally mounted betweengenerally parallel arms 44 and 44 (see FIG. 2) of mounting 45 by meansof fastener 46. Mounting 45 is conveniently secured to transverse member18 in any convenient manner, such as welding. Blade 42 is mounted ongenerally parallel arms 48 and 48' of mounting 49 by means of fastener50. Mounting 49 is slidably mounted on central frame member 24 by meansof L-shaped bracket 52 and securing mechanism 54. Securing mechanism 54is provided with a handle 55 for manually tightening the mechanism tosecure the mounting 49 in place, as best shown in FIG. 5, and forloosening the mechanism whereby the mounting may be selectively adjustedalong central frame member 24 thus changing the position of blade 42 inthe cavity for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

Blades 40 and 42 have a normal or at-rest position shown in phantomlines in FIG. 3. Depending arms 56 and 57 are secured to blades 40 and42 respectively, as by welding, and have counterweights 58 and 59attached adjacent their respective ends. Thus, in normal position, thecounterweights S and 59 lie adjacent mountings 45 and 49, respectively.Means is provided for retaining the blades and counterweights in saidnormal position and is herein illustrated as magnets 60 and 6-1 attachedto mountings 45 and 49, respectively, as by fasteners 63-66. Sufficientforce is applied by magnets 60 and 61 to retain the blades 40 and 42 insaid normal position for deflecting the end flaps 33 and 34' inwardly asthe carton 30 is inserted into the cavity by the operator, as shown inphantom lines in FIG. 3. When the fold line 35 of carton 30 engages theblades 49 and 42, however, the force of the insertion of the carton isapplied directly to the blades through ends 33 and 34. This additionalforce is sufficient to overcome the retaining force applied by themagnets and cause the blades to pivot about pivots 46 and 50 and move toraised or folding position best shown in FIG. 3. Slots 63', 65 and 66'are provided in mountings 45 and .49 to provide convenient adjustment ofthe magnets either closer to or further from the pivot points therebychanging the moment arm and adjusting the retaining force of themagnets. Thus, it is deemed obvious that the bottom end flaps of the boxor carton are guided inwardly by the blades as the carton is insertedinto the cavity and then are raised upwardly toward a folding positionas the blades pivot. It can be seen that the fold lines must engage theblades externally of the pivots 46 and 50. To assure that the cartonengages the blade at the proper position, and end guide plate generallydesignated by the numeral 70, is mounted on upwardly extending arms 72and 73 of mounting 49. End plate 70 includes a generally horizontalmember 75, a generally vertical guide member 77, and an intermediate,outwardly extending, member 76 which interconnects the two. Thus, whenthe carton is inserted, end flaps 33' will ordinarily slide down intermediate portion 76 to the correct position adjacent the vertical portion77. A slot 78 is provided in guide plate to provide an opening throughwhich blade 42. may assume its normal position. By adjusting mountings49 along central frame member 24, the apparatus can be adjusted so thatthe opposite end of the carton engages blade 40 at the proper position.It should be noted that blades 40 and 42 have a substantially straightand smooth upper edge 41 and 43, respectively, to allow the end flaps toslide therealong, and that the blade is relatively narrow to disturb theminimum amount of adhesive 38., The carton 319 now has its end flapsfolded toward a folded position as shown in FIG. 60.

The carton folding or sealing apparatus 10 next operates to fold thebottom side flaps 31' and 32' upwardly against the bottom end flaps 33and 34'. For this purpose, there is provided a pair of folding membersherein illustrated as generally flat doors 80 and 82 disposed within thecavity 25. The doors S0 and 82 are preferably pivotally mounted onshafts 84 and 85 respectively, for movement between a normal or loweredposition adjacent the respective sides of the cavity, as shown inphantom lines in FIG. 5, and a raised or fold position. Shaft 84 ispivotally mounted in bearing. 86 attached to transverse member 16 and inbearing 88 attached to bracket 89 which is secured to side rail 14, asbest shown in FIG. 2. Shaft 85 is similarly mounted by means of bearings86' and 88' and bracket 89'. The movement of the doors between saidlowered position and said raised position is preferably accomplished byan actuating means which conveniently operates through a series of leverarms. As herein illustrated, the actuating means is in the form of ahydraulic cylinder 90, a piston 91 disposed within said cylinder, andpiston rod 92 attached to said piston and extending out of saidcylinder. Piston rod 92 is pivotally attached by means of fastener 93 tolever arm 94 which is secured to shaft 95, as by welding, as shown inFIG. 5.

Lever arm 96 is secured to shaft 95 at one end and pivotally connectedto lever arm 97 by means of fastener 98. Lever arm 97 is pivota-llyconnected to bracket 82 j of door 82 by means of fastener 99 and, inthis manner rotation of shaft 95 operates to raise and lower door 82. Anadjustable stop 102 is attached to bracket 82'and engageable with leverarm 96 to provide an overcenter lock which operates to hold the doors inraised position. Similarly, the opposite end of hydraulic cylinderis'connected to shaft by means of lever arm 94' and fastener 93'.Rotation of shaft 95' operates to raise or lower door 80 through partssimilar to those described for raising or lowering door 82 by rotationof shaft 95 and similar parts are indicated by the same number fol-lowedby a prime As best shown in FIG. 3, shafts 95 and 95 extend the lengthof the cavity 25'and are mounted at one end on transverse member 16 bymeans of bearing 164 and at the other end to transverse member 18 bymeans of bearing 106. The aforedescribed hydraulic cylinder and levelmechanism is mounted adjacent transverse member 16. As best shown inFIG. 4, additional sets of lever mechanism are each mounted on an end ofdoor 80 or 82 adjacent transverse member 18. The lever mechanismillustrated in FIG. 4 is similar to that described supra and identicalparts carry the same number with a double prime thereafter.

A particularly advantageous cooperation is provided between the blades49 and 42 and the doors 83 and 82. This cooperation is provided byhaving the blade 40 operate a switch or valve means controlling themovement of hydraulic cylinder 98 and thereby controlling the movementof doors 8% and 82. In the embodiment illustrated, a valve mechanism 116is operative to control flow of 75 fluid to opposite sides of piston 91through fluid lines 111 and 112. An arm 12% is pivotally attached todepending arm 56 at 121, as best seen in FIG. 3. Arm 120 extends throughopening 122 in the wall of transverse member 18. Ann 120 has a dependingmember 124 arranged to engage an extending switch member 113 of valvemechanism 110. As best shown in FIG. 3, valve mechanism 110 is mountedon the interior wall of transverse member 18 by means of fasteners 114and 114' and is arranged so that extending switch member 113 extendsthrough the wall of transverse member 18 when engaged by dependingmember 124 for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. Thevalve mechanism is provided with a coupling 115 for connection to asupply (not shown) of fluid which is preferably air. Thus, when thecarton has been inserted into the cavity and the end flaps are raisedtoward fold position by the blades, depending member 124 will engageextending switch member 113 and cause a flow of air through fluid line111 to extend the piston rod out of the hydraulic cylinder. Because ofthe particular arrangement, the door with the least resistance will bethe one to be raised first. This is a preferred arrangement because onlyhalf as much air pressure need be applied to consummate the raising ofthe doors since they need not be raised simultaneously. Additionally,the over center lock arrangement on the lever arm described above, willhold the doors in position and support a considerable amount of weightas the product is placed in the box (FIG. 6e). This arrangementeliminates the necessity of utilizing the hydraulic cylinder to supportthe doors in raised position and provides a safety factor in that thedoors will not collapse should the weight of the product exceed theforce applied by the hydraulic cylinder or should there be a failure ofthe air supply. When air is supplied through fluid line 111, there maybe an amount of fluid on the other side of piston 91. Such fluid isforced back through line 112 and is exhausted through port 116 in valvemechanism 110. After the operator has completed the loading operation(FIG. 6e), the carton 30 is removed from the cavity by convenientlysliding it onto the conveyor means 139 adjacent the end of the cavityopposite end guide plate 70. It is contemplated that the conveyor meansmay be of any convenient kind, but it is herein illustrated as aplurality of rollers as best shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates rollers131-135, the first four of which are short in length and arranged inpairs on either side of the center line of the apparatus to provide a gaat about the center line of the cavity 25 for receiving blade 40 in foldposition described above. The rollers may be mounted in any convenientmanner but are herein illustrated as mounted on brackets 133. After thecarton has cleared blade 40, counterweight 58 will cause blade 46 toreturn to normal position. As this occurs, means is provided forengaging extending switch member 113 to reverse the flow of air to thehydraulic cylinder 90. For this purpose an extending member 125 isattached to counterweight 58 and is arranged to engage pivoted arm 126which overlies extending switch member 113, as shown in FIG. 3. Whenswitch member 113 is returned to first position, the flow of fluid isdirected into fiuid line 112 to reverse the position of piston 91 andretract piston rod 92. The air already in the cylinder is returnedthrough line 111 and exhausted through a port which preferably has anadjustable plug therein, shown in the form of a screw 117, to controlthe exhaustion of the air and assure that the doors will be returned tolowered position in a cushioned manner.

Side guide plates 140 and 142 are disposed along opposite sides of thecavity 25 and adjacent the side rails 12 and 14, respectively. The sideguide plates are similar in shape to end guide plates 70, describedabove, but are conveniently somewhat higher to first engage the sidesand center the box on the cavity prior to the function served by endguide plate 70. Side guide plates 140 and 142 are secured, as bywelding, to longitudinal shafts 144 and 146 respectively. Longitudinalshaft 144 is pivotally mounted adjacent its opposite ends to bearings147 and 148 and longitudinal shaft 146 is likewise mounted adjacent itsopposite ends to bearings 149 and 150, as best shown in FIG. 2. A wheel152 is mounted adjacent the rear side of side guide plate 142 by meansof mounting 153 and fastener 154, as best seen in FIG. 5. In likemanner, wheel 156, mounting 157, and fastener 158 are provided on sideguide plate When doors 8i) and 82 are in normal or lowered position, thecenter of gravity of the side guide plates is such that they assume anormal position shown by phantom lines in 1G. 5. When the doors areraised to folding position, they engage wheels 152 and 156 which causeside guide plates 14!) and 142 to cam inwardly slightly through rotationabout shaft 144 and 146 respectively. When the side guide plates are innormal position, the box will slide easily into the cavity; when theside guide plates are cammed inwardly, they operate to square up the boxand frictionally hold it in position thus freeing the hands of theoperator for easy loading. It is contemplated that this holding actionis suflicient to overcome the bounce back action caused by the foldedflaps but that it is sufficiently light to allow an operator to slip thebox onto the conveyor means quite easily. When the carton has beenremoved and the doors returned to their normal position, the side guideplates will also assume their normal position. Stops 161i and 162 areconveniently affixed to longitudinal shafts 144 and 146, respectively,adjacent transverse member 16. These stops operate to control the amountof movement of the longitudinal shafts by engaging the top oflongitudinal member 16 at point 164 shown in FIG. 3. In this manner,there is provided a safety mechanism which prevents the side guideplates from accidentally being knocked into the cavity from their normalposition.

When the operator has placed a product 37 into the carton 36 (FIG. 6e),the operator will then fold the top flaps (FIGS. 6f and 6g) and slidethe folded carbon onto the conveyor means 131). A compression means,generally designated by the figure 171i, is disposed above said conveyormeans at a level approximating the height of the carton 30 when allflaps are folded for compressibly holding the carton to seal the flapsthereof. While it is contemplated that various types of compressionmeans may be utilized, it is herein illustrated as a generally fiatplate 171 mounted on extensions 172 and 173 of legs 26 and 27,respectively, by means of crossbar 174. Springs 175 and 176 are mountedabove bar 174 and on extensions 172 and 173, respectively, for applyingthe pressure necessary to hold the flap while the adhesive sets.

It is now deemed obvious that an operator may insert a carton, intubular form, into the apparatus which will guide the end flaps inwardlyand then move them upwardly toward a folded position, that the sideflaps will be folded upwardly against the end flaps and that the boxwill simultaneously be squared up and held in folded position for easyloading. The apparatus thus provides a packing station, allowing theoperator to fill the carton, fold the top flaps thereof, and push thecarton under a spring loaded compression plate for sealing the flapsthereof.

A salient feature of this invention, however, is its adjustability. Forexample, the embodiment herein illustrated may be easily adapted toreceive cartons ranging in size from 6 x 6" x 4" to 24" x 12 X 24" andany size in between, and this adjustment may be quickly and readily madeby an unskilled operator. It should be understood that the foregoingsizes of cartons are mentioned by way of illustration, and notlimitation, and that it is contemplated that this invention may beadapted to handle boxes of various other sizes. The manner in which theapparatus is adjusted will now be described.

It has already been indicated that mounting 49 may be adjustedlongitudinally of the cavity 25 to accommodate different length cartons.The position indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is intermediate the extremes ofmovement of mounting 49 and was chosen to better illustrate therelationship of the parts. By turning handle 55 and releasing thepressure of securing mechanism 54 on bracket 52,.mounting 49 may bemoved adjacent transverse member 16 to accommodate larger cartons, ormay be moved in the other direction to a point near blade 40* toaccommodate smaller cartons. The mounting of depending arms 56 and 57and counterweights 58 and 59 on opposite sides of blades 49 and 42 allowthose parts to swing past each other and thus allows the apparatus toaccommodate the smallest cartons possible.

The apparatus is also adjustable to accommodate different width cartons.For this purpose side guide plates 140 and 142 are simultaneouslymovable toward the center of the cavity a generally equal distance sothat the blades remaining at the approximate centerline of the carton tobe handled. For this purpose, bearings 147 and 149 are mounted on screwshaft 176 which extends transverse of the apparatus inside the housingdescribed by transverse member 16 (see FIG. 2). Screw shaft 178 ismounted in bearings 177 and 178 on side rails 12 and 14, respectively.Screw shaft 176 conveniently extends outside the aforementioned housingon the operators side thereof, herein shown as the side adjacent siderail 12, and has a crank 179 affixed thereto for convenient adjustmentby the operator. Bearings 148 and 150, disposed above transverse member18, are mounted on screw shaft 132 which is mounted on side rail 12 bymeans of a bearing (not shown) and on side rail 14 by means of bearing184. Sprockets 185 and 136 are convenietly secured to screw shafts 176and 182, respectively, and are interconnected by means of a chain 187 sothat screw shafts 176 and 182 will rotate simultaneously. The two screwsshafts have right and left hand threads extending in opposite directionsfrom the centerline of the apparatus so that rotation of the respectiveshafts will move the bearings 147450 in opposite directionssimultaneously. Thus, turning crank 179 operates to rotate both screwshafts and move the bearings, thereby adjusting side guide plates 140and 142 an equal distance about the centerline of the apparatus toaccommodate different width boxes.

The apparatus is also adjustable to accommodate different height cartonsby moving compression means 179 up or down. For this purpose areprovided locks, shown as screws 19-3- and 111 mounted on extensions 172and 173 respectively, which are selectively releasable to allow theextensions to be extended or retracted. The amount of compressionapplied is adjustable by tightening or loosening nuts 192 and 193mounted above springs 175 and 176, respectively. When different heightboxes or cartons are used, the top of the box, or work area, will varyin distance above the floor. Thus, it is desirable to be able toselectively adjust the height of the machine to maintain the work areaat a convenient elevation for the operator. Additionally, differentheight operators will necessitate different height machines. Toaccomplish such an adjustment, a plurality of locks such as screws 1-95are provided on the legs 26-29, as best shown in FIG. 1. It should beunderstood that different means may be utilized for adjusting the heightof the machine or compression apparatus and for adjusting thecompression in the springs.

While we have thus described a preferred embodiment of our invention,this has been done by way of illustration and not limitation, and we donot wish to be limited except as required by the attached claims.

We claim:

1. In a carton folding or sealing machine, the combination of'a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having bottomside and end flaps, a pair of folding arms each pivotally mountedadjacent a respective end of the cavity for folding the bottom end flapstoward a folded position, a pair of folding members each mounted formovement between a lowered position adjacent the respective side of saidcavity and a raised position for folding the bottom side flaps to asubstantially horizontal position against the bottom end flaps, a pairof side guide means mounted adjacent the sides of the cavity for guidingthe sides of the tubed carton into the cavity in one position, and meanson at least one of the side guide means for engaging a respectivefolding member when in raised position for moving the side guide meansto a second position inwardly against the carton for holding the cartonin position with its bottom flaps folded.

2. The combination of claim 1 including means for selectively movingsaid side guide means toward the center of said cavity a generally equaldistance for adapting the apparatus for various width cartons.

3. The combination of claim 1 including an end guide means mountedadjacent one of said folding arms for guiding an end of the tubed cartoninto the cavity.

4. The combination of claim 3 including means for a selectively movingsaid one of said folding arms and the end guide means adjacent theretoalong a line generally parallel to the sides of the cavity for adaptingthe apparatus for various length cartons.

5. In a carton folding or sealing machine, the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having side andend flaps, means for supporting said frame, means for folding the sideand end flaps into generally contiguous relationship, a pair of sideguide plates each mounted adjacent the respective sides of the cavityand extending generally upwardly and outwardly from said cavity forguiding the sides of the carton into the cavity in one position, meansmounting said guide plates for pivotal movement between said oneposition and a second position inwardly for holding the carton inposition with its flaps folded, and means on the side guide plates forengaging the folding means and moving the side guide plates between saidone position and said second position.

6. -In a carton folding or sealing machine the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having at leastbottom side and end flaps defining fold lines, means for supporting saidframe, fold ing means for folding the bottom flaps to closed positionand including a pair of folding arms having a generally smooth edge anddisposed between the sides of the cavity and substantially parallelthereto, means pivotally mounting each folding arm adjacent a respectiveend of said cavity for movement from one position with the edge inclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the middle of said cavity for guiding thebottom end flaps of the carton inwardly and thereby starting a foldingoperation and a second position for raising the bottom end flaps towarda folded position, each said pivotal mounting means located internallyof the respective end of the tubed carton as it engages said foldingarms, a depending member on each folding arm arranged to lay adjacentthe respective end of the cavity when the folding arm is in said oneposition, a pair of magnet means for engaging the respective dependingmember for holding the folding arms in said one position as the cartonis inserted into the cavity until the end fold lines of the cartonengage the folding arms, and means on the nepending member for returningthe folding arms to said one position when the carton is removed fromthe cavity.

7. The combination of claim 6 including means for selectively moving atleast one of said folding arms within said cavity along a line generallyparallel to the sides of the cavity for adapting the apparatus forfolding cartons of various lengths.

8. In a carton folding or sealing machine the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton inserteddownwardly thereinto, said carton having at least bottom side and endflaps defining fold lines, means for supporting said frame, a pair offolding arms having a generally smooth edge and disposed between thesides of the cavity and substantially parallel thereto, means pivotallymounting each folding arm adjacent a respective end of said cavity formovement from one position with the edge extending downwardly toward themiddle of said cavity for guiding the bottom end flaps of the cartoninwardly and thereby starting a folding operation and a second positionfor raising the bottom end flaps towards a folded position, each saidpivotal mounting means located internally of the respective end of thetubed carton as it engages said folding arms, a pair of retaining meansfor holding the folding arms in said one position until the end foldlines of the carton engage the folding arms, a pair of folding membersfor folding the bottom side flaps to a folded position against thebottom end flaps, means mounting each said folding member for movementbetween a lowered position adjacent the respective side of said cavityand a raised position extending substantially horizontally for foldingthe bottom side flaps, moving means for moving said folding membersbetween said lowered position and said raised position, and actuatingmeans responsive to the movement of one of said folding arms toward saidsecond position for actuating the moving means as the folding armsapproach said second position.

9. In a carton folding or sealing machine the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having at leastbottom side and end flaps defining fold lines, a pair of folding armshaving a generally smooth edge and disposed between the sides of thecavity and substantially parallel thereto, means pivotally mounting eachfolding arm adjacent a respective end of said cavity for movement fromone position with the edge extending downwardly toward the middle ofsaid cavity for guiding the bottom end flaps of the carton inwardly andthereby starting a folding operation and a second position for raisingthe bottom end flaps toward a folded position, each said pivotalmounting means located internally of the respective end of the tubedcarton as it engages said folding arms, said folding arms so constructedand arranged that they return to said one position when the carton isremoved from the cavity, a pair of magnet means for holding the foldingarms in said one position until the end fold lines of the carton engagethe folding arms, a pair of folding members for folding the bottom sideflaps to a folded position against the bottom end flaps, means mountingeach said folding member for movement between a lowered positionadjacent the respective side of said cavity and a raised positionextending substantially horizontally for folding the bottom side flaps,moving means for moving said folding members between said loweredposition and said raised position, switch means for controlling saidmoving means, first means on one of the folding arms for engaging theswitch means as the folding arm approaches said second position foractuating the moving means for moving the folding members to raisedposition, and second means on one of the folding arms for engaging theswitch means as the folding arm approaches said one position for actu-'ating the moving means for moving the folding members to loweredposition.

10. In a carton folding or sealing machine the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having at leastbottom side and end flaps, a pair of folding arms having a generallysmooth edge and disposed between the sides of the cavity andsubstantially parallel thereto, means pivotally mounting each foldingarm for movement from one position with the edge inclined downwardly anda second position for raising the bottom end flaps toward a foldedposition, said folding arms so constructed and arranged that they returnto said one position when the carton is removed from the cavity, a pairof folding members for folding the bottom side flaps to a foldedposition against the bottom end flaps, means mounting each said foldingmember for movement between a lowered position adjacent the respectiveside of said cavity and a raised position extending substantiallyhorizontally for folding the bottom side flaps, moving means for movingsaid folding members between said lowered and said raised position,switch means for controlling said moving means, first means on one ofthe folding arms for engaging the switch means as the folding armapproaches said second position for actuating the moving means to movethe folding members to raised position, a conveyor adjacent the frameand disposed at a level approximating the top of the folding members inraised position for receiving the carton after the bottom flaps havebeen folded, and second means on one of the folding arms for engagingthe switch means as the folding arm approaches said one position foractuating the moving means to move the folding member to loweredposition.

11. A carton sealing machine comprising a frame generally defining acavity for receiving a tubed carton having bottom side and end flaps atleast half of which have an adhesive applied thereto, means forsupporting said frame, a pair of folding arms disposed between the sidesof the cavity and substantially parallel thereto, means mounting eachfolding arm for movement between one position for guiding the bottom endflaps inwardly to start a folding operation and a second position forfolding the bottom end flaps to a substantially horizontal position, apair of folding means for folding the bottom side flaps to asubstantially horizontal position against the bottom end flaps, meansmounting each said folding means for movement between a lowered positionadjacent a respective side of said cavity and a raised positionextending substantially horizontal whereby the bottom side flaps arefolded, moving means for moving said folding means between said loweredposition and said raised position, actuating means for actuating saidmoving means as the folding arms approach said second position formoving the folding means to said raised position, conveyor meansadjacent said frame and disposed at a level approximating the top of thefolding means in raised position for receiving the carton after saidbottom flaps have been folded, and compression means disposed above saidconveyor means at a level approximating the height of said carton whenall flaps are folded for compressibly holding said box to seal the flapsthereof.

12. In a carton folding or sealing machine the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having side andend fiaps, a pair of folding arms disposed between the sides of thecavity and substantially parallel thereto, means pivotally mounting eachfolding arm adjacent a respective end of the cavity for movement betweenone position for guiding the bottom end flaps of the carton inwardly tostart a folding operation and a second position for folding the bottomend flaps toward a folded position, a pair of folding members eachpivotally mounted for movement between a lowered position adjacent therespective side of said cavity and a raised position for folding thebottom side flaps against the bottom end flaps, means for moving saidfolding mem- -bers between said lowered position and said raisedposition, actuating means for actuating said moving means as the foldingarms approach said second position, a pair of side guide members mountedadjacent the sides of the cavity for guiding the sides of the tubedcarton into the cavity in one position, and means on at least one of theside guide members for engaging a respective folding member as itapproaches said raised position for moving the side guide member to asecond position inwardly against the carton and thereby holding thecarton in position with its bottom flaps folded.

13. A carton sealing machine comprising a frame generally defining acavity for receiving a tubed carton having bottom side and end flaps atleast half of which have an adhesive applied thereto, means forsupporting said frame, a pair of folding arms disposed between the sidesof the cavity and substantially parallel thereto, means mounting eachfolding arm for movement between one position for guiding the bottom endflaps inwardly to start 1 1 a folding operation and a second positionfor folding the bottom end flaps to a substantially horizontal position,a pair of folding means for folding the bottom side flaps 'to asubstantially horizontal position against the bottom end flaps, meansmounting each said folding means for movement between a lowered positionadjacent a respective side of said cavity and a raised positionextending substantially horizontal whereby the bottom side flaps arefolded, moving means for moving said folding means between said loweredposition and said raised position, first actuating means for actuatingsaid moving means as the folding arms approach said second position formoving the folding means to said raised position, a pair of side guidemembers mounted adjacent the sides of the cavity for grinding the sidesof the tubed carton into the cavity in one position, means on at leastone of the side guide members for engaging a respective folding memberin said raised position for moving the side guide member to a secondposition inwardly against the carton for holding the carton in positionwith its bottom flaps folded, second actuating means for actuating saidmoving means after the carton has been removed for moving the foldingmeans to said lowered position and to thereby move said side member fromsaid second position to said one position.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including means for selectively movingsaid side guide means toward the center of said cavity a generally equaldistance for adapting the apparatus for various width cartons.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 including an end guide means mountedadjacent one of said folding arms for guiding an end of the tubed cartoninto the cavity, and conveyor means adjacent the end of the bodyopposite said end guide means and disposed at approximately the level ofthe top of said folding means in raised position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 including means for selectively movingsaid one of said blades and the end guide means adjacent thereto withinsaid cavity along a line generally parallel to the side of the body forselectively adapting the apparatus for various length boxes.

17. In a carton folding or sealing machine, the combination of a framegenerally defining a cavity for receiving a tubed carton having bottomside and end flaps defining fold lines, means for supporting said frame,a pair of blades having a generally straight edge and disposed generallyequidistant between the sides of the cavity and substantially parallelthereto, means pivotally mount- 7 "ing each blade adjacent respectiveends of said cavity for movement between one position with the edgeinclined downwardly toward the middle of the cavity for guiding thebottom end flaps inwardly to'start a folding operation and a secondposition for raising the bottom end vflaps toward a folded position,each said pivotal mounting means located internally of the respectiveend of the tubed carton as it engages said blades, a depending member oneach blade arranged to lay adjacent the respective end of the cavitywhen the blade is in one position, a pair of magnet means for engagingthe respective depending member for holding the blades in said oneposition as the carton is inserted into the cavity until the end foldlines of the carton engage the blades, 21 pair of generally flat foldingmembers disposed within said cavity adjacent opposite sides thereof andeach having a length less than the length of said cavity and a widthless than the distance between said blades and the respective side ofthe cavity, mounting means for pivotally mounting each said foldingmember for movement between a lowered position adjacent the respectiveside of said cavity in a raised position ebrended substantiallyhorizontal to fold the bottom side flaps, moving means for moving saidfolding members between said lowered position and said raised position,actuating means for actuating said moving means as the blades approachsaid second position for moving the folding members to said raisedposition, and means for grasp- 12 ing the carton to hold it in positionwith the bottom flaps folded.

18. A carton sealing machine including a frame generally defining acavity for receiving a tubed carton having side and end flaps definingfold lines and at least a portion of which flaps have an adhesiveapplied thereto, means for supporting said frame, a pair of bladeshaving a generally straight edge and disposed generally equidistantbetween thesides of the cavity and substantially parallel thereto, meanspivotally mounting each blade adjacent a respective end of said cavityfor movement between one position with the edge inclined downwardlytoward the middle of the cavity for guiding the bottom end flaps in-iwardly to start a folding operation and a second position for raisingthe bottom end flaps toward a folded position, each said pivotalmounting means located internally of the respective end of the tubedcarton as it engages said blades, a depending member on each bladearranged to lay adjacent the respective end of the cavity when the bladeis in said one position, a pair of magnet means for engaging therespective depending member for holding the blades in said one positionas the carton is inserted into the cavity until the end fold lines ofthe carton engage the blades, an end plate mounted adjacent one of saidblades and substantially parallel to an end of said body, said end plateshaped for extending generally upwardly and outwardly from said cavityfor guiding an end of the carton into the cavity, means for selectivelymoving said end plate and the blade and magnet means adjacent theretowithin said cavity along a line generally equidistant between the sidesof the cavity for selectively adapting the machine for various lengthcartons, a pair of generally flat folding members disposed within saidcavity adjacent opposite sides thereof and each having a length lessthan the length of said cavity and a width less than the distancebetween said blades and the respective side of the cavity, mountingmeans for pivotally mounting each said folding member for movementbetween a lowered position adjacent the respective side of said cavityand a raised position extending substantially horizontal to fold thebottom side flaps, at least one pair of hinged arms each pivotallyattached at one end to a separate one of said folding members, means forpivotally mounting the other end of each arm, a cylinder connected toone of said arms, a movable wall inside said cylinder, a rod having oneend attached to said wall and the other end connected to the other ofsaid arms, supply means for supplying fluid under pressure to saidcylinder for moving said folding members between said lowered positionand said raised position, valve means for controlling the flow of fluidfrom said supply means to selective sides of the wall in said cylinder,an arm attached to the second of the blades opposite said one blade andmovable with said second blade for engaging said valve means when saidsecond blade is in said second position whereby fiuid flows to one sideof said wall for moving the folding members to said raised position, apair of side guide plates each mounted adjacent the respective side ofthe cavity and extending generally upwardly and outwardly from saidcavity for guiding the sides of the carton into the cavity in oneposition, means mounting said side guide plates for pivotal movementbetween said one position and a second position inwardly for holding thecarton in position with its bottom flaps folded whereby a product a maybe placed therein, means on the side guide plates for engaging therespective folding member and moving the t .said folding of the bottomflaps, means on said second blade for engaging said switch means as thesecond blade approaches said one position for reversing the switch meansto move the doors to said lowered position, and compression meansdisposed above said conveyor means at a level approximating the heightof said carton when all flaps are folded for compressibly holding saidcarton to seal the flaps thereof.

19. The combination of claim 18 including lock means attached to eachsaid arms for holding the folding members in said raised position.

20. The combination of claim 18 wherein said compression means comprisesa pair of posts each disposed on either side of said conveyor means andextending to a level above the same, a generally flat plate extendingacross said conveyor means and mounted on the posts, means forselectively adjusting the height of the plate above said conveyor meansfor adapting the compression means for various height cartons, springmeans for compressibly holding the plate against the carton, and meansfor selectively adjusting the spring means for varying the pressureapplied to the carton; and wherein said means for supporting said frameincludes adapting means for selectively adjusting the height of themachine for varying the height of a work area at the top of the cartonto accommodate different operators and various height cartons.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD STICKNEY, PrimaryExaminer.

1. IN A CARTON FOLDING OR SEALING MACHINE, THE COMBINATION OF A FRAMEGENERALLY DEFINING A CAVITY FOR RECEIVING A TUBED CARTON HAVING BOTTOMSIDE AND END FLAPS, A PAIR OF FOLDING ARMS EACH PIVOTALLY MOUNTEDADJACENT A RESPECTIVE END OF THE CAVITY FOR FOLDING THE BOTTOM END FLAPSTOWARD A FOLDED POSITION, A PAIR OF FOLDING MEMBERS EACH MOUNTED FORMOVEMENT BETWEEN A LOWERED POSITION ADJACENT THE RESPECTIVE SIDE OF SAIDCAVITY AND A RAISED POSITION FOR FOLDING THE BOTTOM SIDE FLAPS TO ASUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION AGAINST THE BOTTOM END FLAPS, A PAIROF SIDE GUIDE MEANS MOUNTED ADJACENT THE SIDES OF THE CAVITY FOR GUIDINGTHE SIDES OF THE TUBED CARTON INTO THE CAVITY IN ONE POSITION, AND MEANSON AT LEAST ONE OF THE SIDE GUIDE MEANS FOR ENGAGING A RESPECTIVEFOLDING MEMBER WHEN IN RAISED POSITION FOR MOVING THE SIDE GUIDE MEANSTO A SECOND POSITION INWARDLY AGAINST THE CARTON FOR HOLDING THE CARTONIN POSITION WITH ITS BOTTOM FLAPS FOLDED.